Abstract

Tin-based nanomaterials have been extensively explored as high-capacity anode materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). However, the large volume changes upon repeated cycling always cause the pulverization of the electrode materials. Herein, we report the fabrication of uniform SnS2@C hollow microspheres from hydrothermally prepared SnO2@C hollow microspheres by a solid-state sulfurization process. The as-prepared hollow SnS2@C microspheres with unique carbon shell, as electrodes in LIBs, exhibit high reversible capacity of 814 mA h g−1 at a current density of 100 mA g−1, good cycling performance (783 mA h g−1 for 200 cycles maintained with an average degradation rate of 0.02% per cycle) and remarkable rate capability (reversible capabilities of 433 mA h g−1 at 2 C). The hollow space could serve as extra space for volume expansion during the charge-discharge cycling, while the carbon shell can ensure the structural integrity of the microspheres. The preeminent electrochemical performances of the SnS2@C electrodes demonstrate their promising application as anode materials in the next-generation LIBs.

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Acknowledgment

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51302323), the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (NCET-13-0594), and the Innovation-driven Project of Central South University (2017CX001).

Interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Contributions statement

Yang H and Su Y performed the experiments and wrote the article; Ding L participated in the experiments; Lin J performed the data analysis; Pan A and Zhu T proposed the experimental design. All authors contributed to the general discussion.

Author information

Hulin Yang is a postgraduate student in Prof. Pan’s Group and will receive his Master degree from the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Central South University soon in 2018. His current research interest is tin-based materials for anode of lithium ion battery.

Anqiang Pan is currently a full professor at the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University. His research interests focus on the synthesis of electrochemical energy storage materials and their applications, such as lithium ion batteries, supercapacitors and catalysts.